After seeing the appreciation for my Arsenal and Milan posts, I got tempted into looking at Manchester United too. If I'm being honest, I was weary and hoping no-one would ask me for this because this club has issues from top to bottom. They'll need massive changes to fix them and get them even competing at an acceptable/ high level, let alone competing with Liverpool or Manchester City.

The Coach

I start with the Coach at the very beginning because fixing this club will start from the coach. And it'll be a herculean job for anyone new coach.

I think Ole as coach is much like he was as a player. He's likable, cheerful & pleasant. I genuinely wanted him to succeed. Sadly, his lack of top level experience and tactical ideas is showing, even he puts positive spin on things. He might have the nous to manage big dressing rooms (similar to Zidane), but that's not what Manchester United need right now. Ferguson's United (with Becham, Giggs, Scholes, Keane etc.), sure, but not this present version of United. I also think that the reason he's managed to last this long is towing the 'company line'. i.e.- letting go of some big earners like Lukaku, Mkhitaryan and Smalling without any replacements whatsoever, touting the youth team instead. No other manager would've acquiesced to that. It might be that the club's finances might be shakier than they let out, but that's just speculation on my part.

In any case, Ole's on really shaky ground right now, and it'll take a miracle to last past November, if not this month. That said, there's a handful of interesting names, for me, that might be up for the task.

• Pochettino (The dream) - I doubt it's possible. Tottenham being shit right now (and Kane wanting to move) helps, but it won't be enough. He'd have top level clubs giving him far better choices, and he might not be up for another long term rebuilding job. Highly improbable, but United have to try.

• Allegri (The realistic option) - He's not someone who gets teams playing beautiful football, but he has a history of grinding out results. That's much needed right now. While his teams have little in terms of 'identity', he takes what he's got and conjures up something competent, solid. If United want someone who'd at least get them qualifying for the Champions League consistently, he's it. That itself it a start. That said, he's not all sunshine. He got a winning squad from Conte at Juve and had names like Silva, Zlatan and Pirlo at Milan.

• Marcelino - He gave Valencia direction, and an identity at a time when they were in shambles. Got them to qualify for Champions League 2 years in a row, also won them a Kings Cup. The football isn't sexy, a hard working 4-4-2 generally, but it works. At the very least he's gotten his teams (Villarreal & Valencia) rowing in the same direction. Simply put, he brings stability with him, and that's something United need right now. He might not be a 'sexy' name like Allegri, but ask Valencia fans what they think of him.

• Nuno Santo - The Wild Card; I like how this Wolves team plays. This isn't just the recent result against Man City talking either. I saw that same display last season too. Playing the ball in space, quick passing and movement, defensively sound, really good football. Whether he's the manager to guide them is a question mark. He does have PL experience, but still a gamble. Getting him might also mean getting Jorge Jesus' influence in the club too. And where they already have to deal with Raiola, that might be one too many.

• Big Sam - This man once remarked how he should manage Real and Barca, not Bolton. And he once sat in a Chinese restaurant dinking a pint of wine, discussion illegal agent fees and legal loopholes with middle eastern businessmen, all while being the new England Manager. He'd send Charlton and Ferguson to their graves. The thought of him at Manchester United cracks me up. lol. Sorry, I had to do this.

The Goalie

I create a special segment just to discuss the DDG renewal. That renewal is as big an indictment against this management as you'll ever find. How does a club wait till the final year of his contract to renew? Now you've got no choice but to renew, rather than risk losing him for free. Then the figures you've given up act as a precedence for everyone. The likes of Martial, Rashford, Pogba (I know they all renewed recently) all point to that contract when renewing themselves. Imagine someone like Toby showing an interest in coming, but pointing to the renewal as his measuring stick for the contract.

These are the contracts that can jepordize a club. All this could've been avoided with a timely renewal. All that said, I think they're set at this position for the next 5 years at least.

The Defense

So much wrong here, but lets start with the positives. I'm a big fan of Wan-Bissaka. I think he's quality, and that 55m transfer will look like what Ferdinand's transfer when he first joined. Expensive at the time, but well worth it in the long run. Dalot looks decent, needs to be developed. Maybe as a wing back, and a coach that uses that system. Maguire, irrespective of what they paid for him, is a high quality defender. He can act as a building block for the next 5 years.

That's it. That's all the positive there. They need a partner for Maguire. They'll need a LB too. Shaw is too inconsistent to be a long term automatic starter; maybe rotational piece. Lindelof, Jones and Smalling are just rotational pieces/ squad members, but getting paid like starters. It boggles me that they didn't go after Andersen from Sampdoria. I loved his confidence on the ball, and his calm and composed approach to games.

Suggestions - I'd start with Soyuncu, of Premier League Champions Leicester City (still tickles me to say that). Expensive (the PL tax) but he can potentially shore up that defence long term. Physically strong, confident and decent on the ball too, quite similar to Maguire in many ways. I'd also look at Romagnoli, but I doubt it'll be possible. I'd avoid Toby, even for free, simply because of the age and the contract he'll demand. After that, there's other quality young CB's to scout (like Diop went to West Ham for 20m). Finally, I'd consider Diogo Leite as a Rojo replacement. I saw him in the U-20 World Cup, and was impressed by his composure and calmness. He might be getable and cheap. For the LB, spend serious money on someone like Grimaldo or Gaya. Even Guerriero (maybe as a wing back) is available on a free.

The Midfield

This is the where the club's real fire's at. You remove Pogba from the midfield and there isn't a player who'd make the starting eleven at clubs like Leicester City, let alone Tottenham, Liverpool or Manchester City. Looking at this department, I can see why United throw out crazy figures like 150-180m for Pogba suitors. They need that money not just to replace him, but also to fill the spots around him. I think this department needs a complete overhaul, and it needs that ASAP.

Suggestions - I'd start with someone like Brozovic. He consistently ranks at the top of the Italian League in distance covered and passes made. He's only 27 and carries a 55m clause (last time I checked). I think he'd be a perfect Matic replacement. He can fit in any tactical set-up, and he'd shore up that midfield, act as a building block, a 'spine' (along with Maguire & DDG) for the next 5 years. I'd also take a hard look at Partey of Atletico. He's strong, physical, works hard and brings good technique and shooting; Ideal for the PL. He's also not an automatic starter at his club, so chances of convincing him increase. Kondogbia is a good passer & dribbler, a physical beast too, but doesn't do well under pressure. Finally, I'd go for someone like Aouar, who'd bring the vision and ideas in the final third, which the other two might not. It's a gamble (he's young and will be expensive), but one United has to take (like Atletico took when they paid 120m for 'The Kid' Felix to replace Griezmann). I'd even consider Valverde from Real. Pogba's temptation might entice them into letting him go for cheap.

The Attack

While this department isn't as bad as the midfield, it's still pretty bad. I love Rashford though. I think he's a proper CF (not a wing FW or anything like that). I recon he can easily be developed in a Firmino type of a player; a CF who can offer so much more in technique and movement. He's the only bright light there, and a fundamental piece for them going forward. While I liked Greenwood, he's still too young to expect anything substantial right now. They should either send him on loan, or bring him along slowly. That said, they haven't a proper RW and Lingard is a rotational piece at best.

For me, Martial represents everything that's wrong with this United. He's inconsistent, unmotivated and on high wages. Sure, he can amaze in some games, but disappears in others, and is injury prone. If it were me, I'd sell him. He's still young enough for a club (PSG!) to take a shot at him and hand over plenty of coins to take him.

Suggestions - While I'd try like hell for the likes of Havertz and Sancho, I highly doubt they'd come. Even if United can afford them, they might not even get chosen (like for De Ligt, De Jong). I'd try to get Brandt from Dortmund, who carries some 36m clause (I think) to replace Martial. I also quite like Olmo from Dinamo Zagreb. If Havertz is not possible, he'd be a smart purchase. Love his technique, fearlessness and confidence on the ball. Maybe look at Soler from Valencia too. Difficult, but easier than Sancho or Havertz.

The Steps going forward

• Get a proper Director of Sports - I'm not a fan of Woodward. He's botched the transfers numerous time in the past. There needs to be a professional there for that, someone who understands the coach's needs and goes about fulfilling them under the club guidelines. Woodward's too much of a 'businessman' to create a sensible & successful team. He also gets held hostage by agents (Sanchez contract, DDG renewal) so not much of a businessman either.

• Sort out the bloated squad - They need to replace guys with no real future (deadweights) at the club. Sentimentality aside, show Young & Matic the door, and place the likes of Rojo, Jones and Mata somewhere else. There's Smalling (who'll come back), Lindelof & Tuanzebe at CB, all behind Maguire and new CB. There's Tominay, Pereira and Fred behind new midfield pairing (if not three new starters). They need to figure out who has a future at the club, and move the others.

• Set Long Term Goals - Start with a 5 year plan to consistently qualify for the Champions League, and getting players who can help with that . i.e.- less than the absolute 'Top Tier' guys. Meanwhile, develop your own kids (Bissaka, James, Rashford etc.). Find others who'll be long term core members (young with really high potential) along with your own young talents.

• Organized Approach to Squad Building - Getting all new these players in (from my 'suggestions') at the same time is simply not feasible. And it might destabilise the squad (which isn't much). Given the current prices, they need to concentrate on one department per window/ season to sort out. e.g. - If they're selling Pogba, make sure the midfield is attended to. The LB and partner for Maguire can wait.

Summary

All in all, it's pretty bad. To correct ship it'll take a herculean effort, from landing a great coach, to bringing in some fantastic 'foundations;' players. It's a big task even for a club with Manchester United's funds. That said, they do have the funds, and the fan following, and don't have to deal with FFP.